Radisson goldpoints plus - Noob Questions RE Valuing GPP vis a vis Hilton Points/United Miles

New to GPP, having just signed up. I've looked in the stickies and read a few posts to no avail.

We're planning a trip to St. Petersburg, Russia where there is no Hilton (I'm diamond), but there is a Radisson SAS. As St. Petersburg is very expensive, I'm looking to perhaps trade Hilton points and/or UA SWUs/CR1s for GPs, but I have no idea how to value them.

I used the You Do the Math points calculator on the GPP site to get an idea of how many GPs I'd get versus Hilton for various stay parameters. Seems like a GP is worth 66-75% of a Hilton point? But GPs are based on room charges only, and not incidentals (which Hilton are)?

But then I also see that you can exchange 100K GPs for 18K UA miles, but I generally value (and successfully trade) Hilton points 2:1, so 100K Hilton points would = 50K UA miles. So a GP is 36% of a Hilton point in this case.

Can I get a read from this forum on a fair valuation?

The Radisson CSR I spoke with indicated they would status match my hilton diamond to GPP gold, but reading some of the posts here it doesn't look like that gets me a whole lot.

A lot of the posts here seem to indicate you folks are more dissatisfied with this program that folks over in the Hilton forum (and they can be a very unhappy bunch). :)

Oh, BTW, for my dates for St. Petersburg I would need 252K GPs.

1) There are also 2 Marriotts in St. Pete
Cat 6 30k per night
Cat 4 20k per night

2) Hilton Cat 6 = 40k per night
Spas/Resorts = 50k to 60k/nite

3) assuming the Radission you want is 90k per night

then a reasonable trade might be
40k hh per 90k radisson
or
30k marriott per 90k radisson

the main problem is that Radisson isnt a popular trading currency
so you may have to piece multiple nights together from many small trades which will be difficult to do unless you have a currency that will trade/transfer easily in smaller amounts like Amex points, e-rewards, pc points

There's no way I would trade GP+ at such a low ratio. The big advantage of GP+ is that it's a very versatile point currency; you can transfer them to others, convert them to over 20 airlines' miles, cash+points deals can save you tons of money, and Radisson has 50% off award sales relatively frequently. In other words, I wouldn't use 250k GP+ on a 3-night stay, because you can get so much more out of these points.

I agree that they are worth much more... the points/cash alone has saved me lots of money with a minimal number of points. And as was pointed out, those GPP have lots of versatility!

the main problem is that Radisson isnt a popular trading currency

There's no way I would trade GP+ at such a low ratio....I wouldn't use 250k GP+ on a 3-night stay, because you can get so much more out of these points.

I agree that they are worth much more...

Not trying to game anything here, just determine what a fair trade would be.

What I can't reconcile is the imputed value if the GP+ points aren't a popular trading currency? Value usually equates to easy to barter.

Maybe I'll investigate the Marriott properties.

What I can't reconcile is the imputed value if the GP+ points aren't a popular trading currency? Value usually equates to easy to barter.

I think there just aren't too many people who have or even know about GP+. They are comparable (and in some ways even preferable) to SPG points (of course not at a 1:1 ratio). Good luck with your trade!

IMO GPP value is similar to that HH and PC points. While top tier hotels require more points, C&P option offsets this.

IMO GPP value is similar to that HH and PC points. While top tier hotels require more points, C&P option offsets this.

C&P at top tier hotels are still expensive. I checked a random mid-week date in June for Radisson SAS St Petersburg and C&P was 15,000 points + ~$222 :eek:

While Russia is expensive, St Pete is simply magical, especially during the White Nights in the summer. Why don't you check out Russia forum (under Travel/Dining). There is already some thread going on that topic:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/russia/913816-hotel-recommendations-st-petersburg-russia.html

Cash and Points is a joke. The cash is in Dollars or Euros and then adds tax. Not a good deal at all. The value gain of the points used in C+P is almost nothing. :mad:

SPG C+P is a better deal, fixed dollar amount and a reasonable number of points.

Cash and Points is a joke. The cash is in Dollars or Euros and then adds tax. Not a good deal at all. The value gain of the points used in C+P is almost nothing. :mad:

SPG C+P is a better deal, fixed dollar amount and a reasonable number of points.

Then you are using the rate at the wrong properties or at the wrong times.
SPG also frequently offers for example cat 4 C&P when the regular rate is <$100.
C&P is not a universal solution but it can be extremely valuable.

Then you are using the rate at the wrong properties or at the wrong times.

Maybe they're the properties and / or the times 6am at ORD is looking for and therefore not wrong at all? I have looked into spending my points but just can't do it when you factor in the time it takes to accumulate points vs how many points are needed to stay at a hotel that I'd actually like to visit.

PC Rewards seem better value when you can use their bonuses to accrue points more easily and use 25k for a night at the Crowne Plaza in Manchester opposed to 60k points at the Edwardian - and those 60k weren't accrued overnight...

Maybe they're the properties and / or the times 6am at ORD is looking for and therefore not wrong at all? I have looked into spending my points but just can't do it when you factor in the time it takes to accumulate points vs how many points are needed to stay at a hotel that I'd actually like to visit.

PC Rewards seem better value when you can use their bonuses to accrue points more easily and use 25k for a night at the Crowne Plaza in Manchester opposed to 60k points at the Edwardian - and those 60k weren't accrued overnight...

This is not a comparison of GPP vs PC or any other points. Radisson program is by far weaker than the major chains - noone is gonna question that. There are however niche markets where GPP becomes valuable.
The point of my post is the value of C&P vs cash only or points only.

Here is an example of C&P value:
Regent Berlin
Monday sept 7, 1 nt
Cash rate: EUR 455
Points redemption rate: 122,000 (not sure why but it's some sort of "premium" award but we can even assume 90,000 regular award)
Cash+points: 15,000 pts + EUR 273

A pretty clear pick here, right?

Here is an example of C&P value:
Regent Berlin
Monday sept 7, 1 nt
Cash rate: EUR 455
Points redemption rate: 122,000 (not sure why but it's some sort of "premium" award but we can even assume 90,000 regular award)
Cash+points: 15,000 pts + EUR 273

A pretty clear pick here, right?

I agree with your sentiment, if you're looking for a more minor hit in the pocket burn some points. My grumble is the amount of money spent to accumulate the 15,000 points in the first place.

Every time I have tried to book a redemption night I balk at the number of points they charge. Can't bring myself to choose another hotel lower down the chain so just transfer them to BA every so often. Maybe C+P is the way to go instead.

Good call